Best way to cycle a tank?

[j.felician]

60g saltwater/reef tank

 

[arnoldndana]

Just put some live rock in there after you set it up and put some smart start in it and it will cycle faster. You can go ahead and put snails and hermits in there once you get it set up and a couple of hardy fish

 

[j.felician]

Ok, Would it be the same process if I use mostly dry rock and some live?

 

[arnoldndana]

I've never used dry rock

 

[Sniperhank]

You will need to present an ammonia source. There is an article about it in our articles section. I'm personally a fan of putting a cocktail shrimp in some pantyhose and letting nature take its course.

 

[arnoldndana]

I was going to use live rock out of my 55 gallon

 

[arnoldndana]

Just didn't know whether I could put my cleaner crew in it while still cloudy. Would you brush the diatom algae off the rock before putting it in the new tank?

 

[arnoldndana]

Sorry wrong thread, lol

 

[j.felician]

lol I figured

 

[j.felician]

You will need to present an ammonia source. There is an article about it in our articles section. I'm personally a fan of putting a cocktail shrimp in some pantyhose and letting nature take its course.

Thanks I was guessing that was my best bet

 

[j.felician]

Thanks I was guessing that was my best bet

But can it be done with mostly dry rock and some live ? I'm a beginner sorry

 

[bribo12]

Yes it is done the same way. You just add an ammonia source and let it begin. Then monitor the levels over the next couple weeks.

 

[Sniperhank]

But can it be done with mostly dry rock and some live ? I'm a beginner sorry

It can be done with all dry. The mix of things doesn't matter as the process of 'cycling' is building up that bacteria base through the nitrate cycle...hence the name. Having rock that is 'live' or already 'cured' would simply assist with speeding up the process.

 

[j.felician]

Thank u